Among the most anticipated events each year, SPB’s welcome week carnival took place on Friday, September 5th from 5 – 9pm. Students flocked to parking lot 37 near Squirrel road after classes to enjoy free carnival rides, games, dancing and snacks.
Held each year as one of the first big SPB events, Carnival is always a blast. Not just students, but alumni, family members and a few children flock to the scene to enjoy the extravaganza.
“The event went really well!” Maggie Bassett, SPB Treasurer said, “ Summer has been working on it since late June. She’s done so incredible.”
“Some of us missed class and it was a whole ordeal, but I think it was worth it” Basset said. Members of the board were out as early as 10am working on set up.
Students were first met with two lines at the entrance of the event. One to get wristbands which was a quick and easy process, very well stream lined. The second was a long, yet fan favorite line; plushies! This year hosted a series of animals one might see in a cartoon circus, such as lions, giraffes and bears.
This year’s rides included the typical swings and slide line-up, but also classic bumper cars. The bumper cars were created via small, circular plastic vehicles steered via joysticks surrounded by an innertube to prevent injury. The carts moved quite fast and were majorly fun to charge friends with or to make spin as fast as possible. The line was always long, but it moved quickly despite there being only four carts. Perhaps half of the fun was watching classmates hoot and holler. Laughter and screeches of fun could be heard from every corner of the lot.
One of the most packed events at carnival took place in the center of it all. With no line to wait for it, line dancing always garners a crowd. Folks were giving it their all and having a blast. Some dance-masters even took the time to teach new dances to students who were previously strangers, so even novice dancers crowded the scene with new friends.
“The carnival is the best time to get back together with your friends at the start of the year”, Julia Carlisle, a Music Technology major said. “I enjoy being able to have events like this, for sure a reason why I love OU. I will say, please bring the swings back next year!”
Fear not to anyone upset that they missed the carnival; SPB hosts a myriad of events bolstering the same caliber throughout the school year. This includes Casino Night, Haunted Hallways and a masquerade ball among other can’t miss events. To keep up with all SPB has to offer, follow their account on Instagram @spbou.
